Environmentally Friendly Coffin

As more people look for ways to reduce their environmental impact, eco-friendly funerals are becoming increasingly popular. Choosing an environmentally friendly coffin is one of the most meaningful steps you can take toward a greener, more natural farewell.

Unlike traditional coffins—which are often made from hardwoods, varnished with chemicals, and lined with synthetic fabrics—green coffins are made from biodegradable, sustainably sourced materials. They break down naturally, return to the earth gently, and leave minimal trace behind.

Whether you're planning ahead or arranging a farewell for a loved one, there are now many beautiful, affordable, and planet-friendly alternatives available. From cardboard coffins to woollen shrouds, these choices reflect a growing shift toward simpler, more conscious living—even in death.

An environmentally friendly coffin is designed to biodegrade naturally and with minimal impact on the planet. To be truly eco-friendly, it should be:

• Biodegradable: Breaks down naturally without releasing toxins

• Free from toxic varnishes, paints, or metal parts

• Made from sustainable or recycled materials

• Locally sourced, where possible, to reduce transport emissions

• Compatible with natural burial ground regulations

Eco coffins also support biodiversity by avoiding materials that pollute or damage the soil, making them perfect for woodland burials, meadow interments, and nature reserve resting places.

Here are some of the most common and widely available options for environmentally friendly coffins in the UK:

Cardboard Coffins

Cardboard coffins are one of the most affordable and sustainable options. Made from recycled paper or wood pulp, they’re lightweight, biodegradable, and often customisable. Despite their simplicity, they are strong enough for both burial and cremation and can be decorated with natural dyes, printed designs, or even messages from family and friends.

Willow Coffins

Handwoven willow coffins (also known as wicker coffins) are crafted from fast-growing willow harvested sustainably. These coffins are elegant, natural, and breathable—perfect for green burials. Willow is grown in the UK and Europe, making it a great low-carbon option too.

Wicker Coffins

Wicker refers to the weaving technique used for coffins made from willow, rattan, bamboo, or seagrass. These beautifully woven coffins offer both strength and sustainability, blending craftsmanship with natural materials for a truly earthy farewell.

Rattan Coffins

Rattan is a tropical climbing palm known for its strength and flexibility. While it may be imported, it is renewable and biodegradable. Rattan coffins are lightweight, attractive, and natural-looking, ideal for environmentally conscious choices.

Seagrass Coffins

Harvested from aquatic grasslands, seagrass is durable and completely biodegradable. These coffins have a distinctive natural look and are often handwoven. They support sustainable farming practices and are a great alternative to wood or metal-based options.

Wool / Woollen or Felt Coffins

Soft, warm, and entirely natural, wool or felt coffins offer a gentle and comforting look. These are usually made with recycled cardboard interiors and a woollen outer layer. They’re particularly popular for their softness and eco-credentials, especially for woodland and meadow burials.

Banana Leaf Coffins

Banana leaves are another sustainable material, often used in woven coffins. They’re strong, beautifully textured, and break down harmlessly in the earth. While less common, they’re growing in popularity among those seeking unique, natural farewells.

Shroud and Stretcher or Coffin-Free Burials

In some natural burial grounds, you may not need a coffin at all. Biodegradable shrouds made from cotton, linen, wool, or felt are used instead. These are simple, traditional, and deeply respectful of nature’s cycles.

Mushroom Coffins

Mushroom coffins, made from mycelium, gently decompose with the body and enrich the soil. Mycelium is nature’s recycler—breaking down waste into nutrients and supporting regeneration, making it one of the most sustainable burial options available today.

Bamboo Coffins

Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on the planet, making it highly sustainable. Bamboo coffins are stylish, strong, and break down naturally in the soil. Woven strips.

Pandanus Coffins

The leaves of a prolific growing plant twisted into cord.

Hay Rope Coffins

Naturally biodegradable materials, hay, straw and willow.

Environmentally Friendly Coffin Quality

Funeral Furnishing Manufacturers’ Association (FFMA)

FFMA Test Protocol - A product pass 8 tests before it can be licenced and stamped.